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Portrait ofAdrian Bell

Adrian Bell

Partner
Co-head of the Infrastructure, Construction and Energy Disputes Group | Joint Managing Director for Asia and the Middle East

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
Cannon Place
78 Cannon Place - Cannon Street
London
EC4N 6AF
United Kingdom
Languages English

Adrian is a Partner and co-head of the Infrastructure, Construction and Energy (ICE) Disputes Group and is a qualified solicitor advocate.

He advises on dispute avoidance and all types of dispute resolution procedures in the infrastructure, construction and energy and sectors. He specialises in substantial and complex claims, both in the UK and internationally.

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"Adrian Bell has a great ability to find solutions to complex commercial issues. He's also very responsive."

Chambers 2023

"Adrian Bell just knows how to run a case to get the best out of the client and everyone working on the case. Mark Breslin is a steel hand in a velvet glove. The one for getting out of tight corners."

Legal 500, 2024

"He's pragmatic and gets things done."

Chambers, 2023

"Adrian Bell is a real leader, he puts the right team together for each case."

Legal 500, 2023

"Adrian Bell is very focused on responsiveness and client service, he is always available and extremely sensible, pragmatic and commercial."

Legal 500, 2021

"He is extremely responsive and has a strong instinct for tactical decisions."

Chambers, 2020

"He carries with him a wealth of industry experience and he's always on hand to provide first-rate advice."

Chambers, 2020

"A tireless powerhouse."

Legal 500, 2020

very dedicated and hard-working lawyer who is good strategically.”

Chambers, 2019

"a leading name in complex construction disputes … Sources recommend him as "an excellent and tenacious litigator" with "strong construction knowledge"."

Who’s Who Legal, 2018

"Adrian is meticulous in his preparations and provides clear and unambiguous advice."

Chambers, 2018

"He's very enthusiastic, hard-working, and very personable. I like working with him."

Acritas Stars 2018

"astute, focused and no nonsense"

Legal 500, 2018

Relevant experience

  • A Spanish energy company and its partners in an arbitration concerning a dispute under a production sharing contract in North Africa under the local laws. ICC arbitral proceedings in Geneva.
  • A Turkish energy company on claims under a Project Agreement regarding an infrastructure project in Jordan under the local laws. UNCITRAL arbitration in Geneva.
  • An international oil and gas company in relation to claims arising from an EPC Contract in respect of an extended well testing facility in Iraq.
  • A Spanish engineering company in an international arbitration commenced against its employer for approximately $800m arising from delays and alleged defects concerning the construction of a 2,000MW combined cycle power plant in the Middle East under the local laws.
  • Japanese contractors in relation to delay claims arising from the construction of a $1billion power (600MW) and desalination plant in Saudi Arabia.
  • A Lebanese company in an arbitration against a BVI company in respect of a dispute relating to the construction of a hotel in the Middle East, including successfully defending proceedings in the English Courts regarding the arbitrator’s jurisdiction.
  • An oil super major in relation to delays caused to the refurbishment of a FPSO in the North Sea.
  • A contractor in defence of an adjudication commenced by its marine piling subcontractor under the NEC3 contract in relation to a £400m infrastructure project in the UK.
  • The operating subcontractor on a multi-million pound dispute arising out of a highways maintenance and management PFI.
  • The project company on four adjudications, High Court proceedings and two mediations arising out of multi-million pound delay and defects claims arising from a PFI waste treatment plant.
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Memberships & Roles

  • Committee Member, the Technology & Construction Solicitors Association.
  • Member of the International Bar Association, the LCIA Young International Arbitration Group, the Solicitors’ Association of Higher Court Advocates and the Society of Construction Law.
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Education

  • 2000 – BA(Hons) Law and Business, Warwick University, Warwick
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11/09/2023
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We are pleased to announce the publication of the 2023 edition of our internationally focused Annual Review of English Construction Law Developments. Now in its thirteenth year, the Annual Review summarises...
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15/09/2022
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A recent Court of Appeal decision has criticised obiter comments made by the Supreme Court in Bresco v Lonsdale to the effect that adjudication decisions in favour of companies in liquidation could in...
11/10/2021
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Introduction The COVID-19 crisis is an extreme example of the many unexpected incidents that impact construction projects, resulting in heightened tensions and disputes amongst stakeholders. The pandemic has accentuated many of the typical frictions that occur in the construction industry, as well as highlight new challenges. No matter how experienced or astute the parties to a project are, when negotiating and concluding contracts, there is always the potential for an unforeseen event to cause major disruption, resulting in commercial pressures and financial losses.Re­ad­just­ing Risks, the latest CMS International Construction Survey for 2021, is available to download now. This year's report examined more than 50 responses from senior members of the industry and conducted interviews with leading figures that have key responsibilities for construction contracts, projects and the resolution of disputes. The survey drew in responses from across the world, especially Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin Amer­ica.    The report showcases the primary trends in the market, from the increasing enthusiasm for arbitration as a preferred form of dispute resolution, along with mounting preferences for mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), to industry-wide recognition that keeping better records and managing change more effectively are vital to minimising tensions and potential disputes. It also reviews the additional strain of COVID-19 on the industry.
17/09/2021
CMS Annual Review of English Construction Law Developments: An International...
We are pleased to announce the publication of the 2021 edition of our Annual Review of English Construction Law Developments: An International Perspective. Now in its eleventh year, the Annual Review...
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Post-termination liquidated damages: orthodoxy restored 
In a much-anticipated decision last week, the Supreme Court has overturned a Court of Appeal ruling on the application of liquidated damages for delay in termination scenarios. While ultimately the question...
10/06/2021
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The Parliament of the Republic of Iraq ratified on 4 March 2021 the long-awaited law on the accession of Iraq to The New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (the...
02/06/2021
Singapore Court of Appeal declines to follow Rock Advertising: endorses...
A recent decision of a five-judge Court of Appeal in Singapore has considered the legal effect of no oral modification clauses (“NOM clauses”) under Singaporean law. In a break with the position in...
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JCT DAB 2021: Dispute Adjudication Boards and the Construction Act
Earlier this month, the JCT released their Dispute Adjudication Board Documentation 2021 (“DAB 2021”). This publication builds on the existing CIArb rules for Dispute Boards published in 2014, but...
28/04/2021
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A recent decision of the English Commercial Court has refused an application for an injunction requiring a beneficiary under an on-demand bond to withdraw its demand and refrain from making further demands...